Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Smart Crows and Dogs

University of Washington scientists carried out an experiment to explore whether crows can identify the face of someone who is a danger to them.

In the experiment the researchers donned rubber masks of cavemen to trap and then release the crows. Thereafter researchers walked along the college paths wearing the same caveman masks to observe how the flock of crows react.




They cawed and screeched, angrily flapped their wings and flicked their tail to warn of the danger. The researchers wore masks of Dick Cheney which elicited no response.




Dogs too displayed intelligence when they sense the appearance of dog catchers.



Dog catchers would park the van a distance from the vicinity and sneak up on the strays, as described in a poem by Cheryl Li.

The sound of tyres, an engine's hum
The dog catcher's van - they've come !
Run! Hide !
But alas, caught from the side


Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Living Dangerously

When asked why he wanted to climb Mt. Everest, the British explorer George Mallory famously replied: “Because it’s there.”



With that declaration, mountain and rock or alpine climbing have become an obsessive hobby and has become a craze for many people all over the world.



The most outstanding is daredevil Alain Roberts who in March this year climbed the newly built 800 metre, 160 storey Burj Khalifa. He conquered it in 6 hours. “Finally, there was nothing more to climb. I was on top of the world,” he said.



And there is Catherine Destivelle, the French wonder woman.




with sister Claire touching the heaven

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Pontian Johor

Pontian Kechil a small town in Johor with a population of probably 60,000.



It is a popular getaway with Singaporeans.


aerial photo courtesy of
laszlo, a cadet pilot


A rare view of the town from the air.


Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Greed Is Here to Stay

A 30 year old secretary forged her boss's signature on cheques totalling $1.3 million - and splashed out on luxury goods including 200 pairs of shoes and more than 80 branded bags and holidays with family members.

The mother of three was jailed for nearly five years on Monday after pleading guilty to nine counts of forgery for the purpose of cheating.

She forged the signature on 32 cheques between 2006 and 2009 while working as the personal secretary. Each cheque in the proceeded charges was worth between $22,000 $600,000.

She confessed when confronted with a $600,000 withdrawal from the boss personal bank account which was used at luxury boutiques, spending at least $10,000 at Louis Vuitton and $30,000 at Chanel each time.


The boss of the electronic company made a police report in August 2009.

The police recovered an assortment of jewellery, branded handbags and luxury watches worth a total of $449,486 from her home.

The secretary, who has twin daughters aged three and another daughter aged five - lavished gifts on her relatives, friends and associates.

She has paid $100,000 back to the boss and could have been jailed for up to seven years on each charge. She was also declared a bankrupt.

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Cats and Dogs

Intense downpour on a Sunday morning.



The weatherman would describe this as zero visibility.



And obviously such volumn of water would surely lead to floods.



Water cascading into the basement of Tanglin Mall.



And Ouch !!

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Festivals

This is the Chinese traditional dumpling.

Also known locally as bak chang.



The chinese worldwide celebrate the Rice Dumpling Festival or Dragon Boat Festival, which falls on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar which is 6 June 2011.



Neighbourhoods across Singapore organise this event and is grace by the respective member of parliament.



The turnout for such traditional events are usually good.



Friday, June 3, 2011

New Model Launch

Korean cars are fast catching up with Japanese models.

A Friday night, a good evening to launch the new 2012 Elantra.





Some technical pow wow.

Front Wheel Drive

1.8 liters

148 HP / 110 KW @6500 RPM

6 speed manual @29 mpg

6 speed Automatic @29 mpg

Wheel Base 2700 mm

Weight 1207 kg

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Man and His Tools

Give a talented man the right tool for his trade, chances are he will laugh all the way to the bank.